New Storage Blocks at CTB to Increase Efficiency and Capacity

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is continuing with its expansion programme at the Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB). Once operations commence in 2017, four new storage blocks will further boost the efficiency and capacity of the terminal. The CTB will then be able to deal even more effectively with peak loads at the hinterland, which are expected due to the increasing number of mega-ship calls. In June, HHLA ordered another three state-of-the-art container gantry cranes for the CTB which are able to handle ships with a capacity of 20,000 standard containers (TEU). In addition, two more tracks will be laid at CTB’s container rail terminal in the medium term.

Dr. Stefan Behn, member of the Executive Board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, emphasizes the significance of the measures: “The expansion of the Container Terminal Burchardkai is a long-term response to the growth in ship sizes and volumes. With the extension of the block storage facility now underway, we are systematically continuing with this expansion. Only by doing so can we achieve the capacity and flexibility to handle ultra large container vessels with the high level of productivity that our customers are used to. The automated block storage facility will absorb the peak loads resulting from the growing number of mega-ship calls.Thanks to the five container gantry cranes that went into operation in 2014 and the additional three gantry cranes for the CTB which were ordered in June this year and can handle the latest generation of 20,000-TEU ships, we are in a good position. Overall, HHLA will then offer three high performance berths for handling container ships with a capacity of 20,000 TEU – two at the Container Terminal Burchardkai and one at the Container Terminal Tollerort. We are now also increasing our storage capacities at the CTB. The expansion of the container rail terminal at the CTB, which is scheduled to start in 2017, means that we will also further boost capacity at Germany’s second-biggest container rail terminal. At the same time, we are undertaking numerous measures to ensure that traffic is coordinated more efficiently – both at the quayside and at the hinterland.”

The number of automated storage blocks at the CTB will increase from eight at present to for the time being twelve when the construction project is complete. The additional storage blocks will comprise two standard blocks and two special blocks for reefer containers. Each of the storage blocks will be 380 metres long and ten container rows wide and will have a stacking height of up to six containers. Three cranes will operate at each of the storage blocks. The crane manufacturer is Austrian company Hans Künz GmbH, while Swedish ABB will be responsible for management, electrics, automation and IT.

Jens Hansen, Managing Director of the Container Terminal Burchardkai: “The yards which were served by straddle carriers until now and will be dispensed with as a result of the construction project had a capacity of just under 4,000 TEU. The four additional automated storage blocks will have a capacity of 8,200 TEU. That means a capacity gain of more than 100 percent. The more efficient use of space associated with this is important, as space is limited at the Port of Hamburg. One positive side-effect is that we will be able to further reduce the facility’s CO2 emissions, as straddle carriers powered by diesel engines. These transports are replaced by automated transports by electrically powered cranes.”

The three additional gantry cranes ordered from the Chinese manufacturer ZPMC in June 2015 are designed for container ships with 24 transverse container rows. Thanks to their 74-metre jibs, they are well equipped to handle 20,000-TEU ships. The new cranes can also operate in tandem mode. With one hub they can move two 40-foot containers or four 20-foot containers. Each container gantry crane weighs 2,400 tonnes and can handle a maximum payload of 110 tonnes.